Singer George Michael opens U.K. tour

MANCHESTER, England, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- British singer George Michael has opened his first United Kingdom tour in 15 years.

The BBC reported Saturday that Michael, 42, who formed the band WHAM! with friend Andrew Ridgeley in 1981, has been tabloids fodder for years, but the controversy has not stopped him from soldiering on and his fans excitedly bought up all the tickets to his concert in Manchester within hours of them going on sale.

He said of the tour: "To be perfectly honest, I've enjoyed it so much I wish I started again years ago."

Michael will play two more concerts in Manchester before heading over to Glasgow, London and Birmingham for more concerts, the BBC reported.